Mounting system for photovoltaic panels

ABSTRACT

A mounting system for mounting photovoltaic panels on a support structure. The mounting system comprises photovoltaic panel frames in which the photovoltaic panels are mounted, panel support rails, and mounting brackets or cross beams for supporting the panel support rails. The panel frames have inwardly extending panel frame extensions on their back side. The panel support rails are mounted on the support structure with either pivoting brackets or cross beams. In either case, the support rails have pairs of stationary clamps and movable clamps with clamp lips that engage the panel frame extensions of the panel frames.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/448,918 filed Apr. 17, 2012, which is a continuation of Ser. No.12/404,546, filed on Mar. 16, 2009 which claims priority to U.S.provisional application No. 61/037,092, filed Mar. 17, 2008, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a mounting system for flat panels,particularly photovoltaic panels, on a support structure or surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electric current. In apractical application of such photovoltaic cells, the photovoltaic cellsare incorporated into a panel comprising a number of photovoltaic cells.One or more such photovoltaic panels are then mounted on a supportstructure or surface that provides maximum exposure to sunlight. Thesupport structure or surface may be a roof, a pole, a footing, theground, or any other surface capable of supporting the photovoltaicpanels.

In order to mount the photovoltaic panels (or other flat panels) on asupport structure or surface, a mounting system is necessary. Themounting system must support the photovoltaic panels around theirperiphery and accommodate the existing support structure or surface,which may have irregularities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mounting system in accordance with the present invention providesperipheral support to the photovoltaic panels and accommodatesunevenness or irregularities of the support structure or surface onwhich the photovoltaic panels (or other flat panels) are mounted.Moreover, the mounting system of the present invention provides forinstallation of photovoltaic panels where there is no access to the backof the photovoltaic panels. The mounting system of the present inventionhas a minimum part count based on the use of the same components fordifferent installations.

The present invention provides numerous advantages in connection withmounting, attaching, and adjusting the configuration of one or morephotovoltaic panels or other flat panels, and removing the one or morephotovoltaic panels or other flat panels from a support structure orsurface in a safe, reliable, yet rapid manner. At least one of theadvantages of the present invention is that the mounting system andmethod allows installation both top down and bottom up using the samemounting system. The mounting system of the present invention alsosignificantly reduces the number and variety of hardware parts andcomponents needed to assemble the mounting system. In addition, themounting system for removably and adjustably mounting the photovoltaicpanels or other flat panels on the support structure or surface providesuniversal hardware, permitting installation of the photovoltaic panelsor other flat panels on the support structure or surface in anydirection or configuration. In addition, the present invention alsoaccommodates photovoltaic panels of any size or shape on a variety ofsupport structures or surfaces, while insuring that the photovoltaicpanels remain securely attached to the support structure or surface.

Particularly, the mounting system of the present invention comprisesphotovoltaic panel frames, panel support rails, and mounting brackets orcross beams. The photovoltaic panels are mounted in the panel frames.The panel frames have inwardly extending panel frame extensions on theirback side. The panel support rails are mounted on a support structure orsurface with either pivoting brackets or cross beams. The support railshave pairs of stationary clamps with clamp lips and movable clamps withclamp lips that engage the panel frame extensions on the back side ofthe panel frames.

In order to mount the photovoltaic panels on a support structure orsurface, each photovoltaic panel is mounted in a peripheral channel ofthe panel frame. The support rails are mounted on the support structureor surface either by use of the pivoting brackets or the cross beams.The framed photovoltaic panels are laid on the support rails andpositioned so that the stationary clamp lip on the stationary clampslides over and engages the panel frame extension along one side of thepanel frame. The movable clamp is then pulled along the panel supportrail by a lead screw so that the movable clamp lip on the movable clampslides over and engages the panel frame extension on the opposite sideof the panel frame. The framed photovoltaic panels are easily removed byturning the lead screw to slide the movable clamp and to disengage themovable clamp from the side of the panel frame. The framed photovoltaicpanel is then slid along the panel support rail to disengage panelsupport frame from the clamp lip of the stationary clamp. The uniquesupport rail of the present invention, in combination with the novelclamps of the present invention, also permit sliding adjustment andreadjustment of the location of the photovoltaic panel on the supportrail.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of the inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting system for framedphotovoltaic panels in accordance with the present invention withmovable clamps in the engaged position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting system for framedphotovoltaic panels in accordance with the present invention with themovable clamps in the disengaged position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting system for photovoltaicpanels in accordance with the present invention with the movable clampsin the disengaged position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the mounting system for photovoltaicpanels in accordance with the present invention showing a panel supportrail mounted on a pivoting bracket.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the movable clamp of themounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the mounting system for photovoltaicpanels in accordance with the present invention as seen along line 6-6of FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is a detailed side elevation view of the stationary clamp of themounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed side elevation view of the movable clamp of themounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the movable clamp of themounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the mountingsystem for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the present inventionshowing a panel support rail mounted on a cross beam.

FIG. 11 is an end elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 of themounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the presentinvention showing a panel support rail mounted on a cross beam.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the mountingsystem for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the present inventionshowing electrical connections between adjacent photovoltaic panels.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified movable clamp for themounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is an end elevation view of the movable clamp of FIG. 13 for themounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the mounting system for photovoltaicpanels in accordance with the present invention incorporating themovable clamp of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a detailed side elevation view of the mounting system forphotovoltaic panels in accordance with the present inventionincorporating the movable clamp of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a detailed side elevation view of the mounting system forphotovoltaic panels in accordance with the present inventionincorporating a stationary clamp similar to the movable clamp of FIG.13.

FIG. 18 is a detailed perspective view of a spacer wedge for the movableclamp of FIG. 13 and for the stationary clamp of FIG. 17 of the mountingsystem for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a detailed perspective view of a clamp body for both themovable clamp of FIG. 13 and for the stationary clamp of FIG. 17 of themounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is an end elevation view of another embodiment a panel supportrail of the mounting system for photovoltaic panels in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 21 is a detailed side elevation view of another embodiment of amovable clamp for the mounting system for photovoltaic panels inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a detailed side elevation view of another embodiment of amovable clamp for the mounting system for photovoltaic panels inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-3 show a mounting system 10 for mounting flat panels, such asphotovoltaic panels 12 on a support structure or surface 8. As used inthis application, the term “panels” is not limited to photovoltaicpanels. For example, but not by way of limitation, the term “panels”includes any device capable of generating power, but may also be adevice capable of holding liquids, gases or admixtures of solids. Thesupport structure or surface 8 may include a roof or wall of a building,a pole, a footing, the ground, or any other surface capable ofsupporting the photovoltaic panels 12. The shape of the photovoltaicpanel 12 may be rectangular, circular, or any other shape orconfiguration.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the mounting system 10 for the photovoltaicpanels 12 comprises pivoting mounting brackets 20, panel support rails18, and a panel frame 14. The pivoting mounting brackets 20 are mountedon the support structure or surface 8 and support the panel supportrails 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the photovoltaic panels 12 are mountedwithin the panel frames 14, and the panel frames 14 are supported on thepanel support rails 18 and held in place by means of stationary clamps50 and movable clamps 62.

FIGS. 4-9 show the details of the construction of the panel mountingsystem 10 and how the panel mounting system 10 engages and holds thephotovoltaic panels 12 in place on the support structure or surface 8.The construction of the panel frames 14 of the photovoltaic panels 12 isbest seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8. Particularly, each photovoltaic panel12 is mounted in a panel frame 14. Each panel frame 14 is constructedfrom four panel frame members 15 that are fastened together to form thepanel frame 14. Each of the frame members 15 has a panel support channel16 extending adjacent its top edge and a panel frame extension 17extending along its bottom edge and extending inwardly from the panelframe member 15 toward the center of the panel frame 14. Thephotovoltaic panel 12 is supported in the panel support channel 16 ofthe panel frame 14. As will be disclosed in greater detail, the panelframe extensions 17 of the panel frame 14 engage the stationary clamp 50and movable clamp 62 of the panel support rail 18 to hold thephotovoltaic panels 12 in place on the support structure 8.

Turning to FIGS. 4-6, the panel support rail 18 supports thephotovoltaic panel 12 secured within the panel frame 14. In turn, thepanel support rail 18 is supported on the support structure or surface 8by the pivoting bracket 20. Each panel support rail 18 is an extrusionhaving a lower channel 32 and an upper channel 42 separated by acontinuous web 34 (FIG. 6). The lower channel 32 has lower channelflanges 36, and the lower channel 32 connects the panel support rail 18to the pivoting bracket 20. The upper channel 42 has upper channelflanges 44, and the upper channel 42 connects the stationary clamps 50and the movable clamps 62 to the panel support rail 18.

The pivoting bracket 20 connects the panel support rail 18 to thesupport structure or surface 8. Each pivoting bracket 20 comprises aU-shaped lower member 22 and a U-shaped upper member 24 that arepivotally connected together by means of pivot bolt 26 as shown in FIGS.4 and 6. The U-shaped lower member 22 is connected to the supportstructure 8 by any suitable fastener, which may include, by way ofexample, a lag bolt 28 shown in FIG. 4 or a machine bolt 28 shown inFIG. 6.

The connection of the pivoting bracket 20 to the panel support rail 18is accomplished by means of lower channel flanges 36, a lower channelclinch nut 38, and a lower channel mounting bolt 40 (FIGS. 4 and 6). Thelower channel mounting bolt 40 is inserted through a hole in theU-shaped upper member 24 to engage the clinch nut 38 disposed within thelower channel 32 of the panel support rail 18. The edge of the clinchnut 38 engages lower channel flanges 36 on either side of the lowerchannel 32 of the panel support rail 18. The lower channel mounting bolt40 engages the clinch nut 38 and pulls the panel support rail 18 intofrictional engagement with the U-shaped upper member 24 of the pivotingbracket 20. By loosening the lower channel mounting bolt 40, the panelsupport rail 18 is free to slide with respect to the pivoting bracket 20to accommodate positioning of the pivoting bracket 20 on the supportstructure 8, such as to align the lag bolt 28 (FIG. 4) with theunderlying structural member 9 of the support structure 8. In that way,the mounting system 10 is able to accommodate itself to supportstructures and surfaces 8 that have varying constructions and structuralmembers 9. Once the pivoting bracket 20 is properly positioned withrespect to the support structure 8 and the panel support rail 18, thelower channel mounting bolt 40 is tightened to lock the panel supportrail 18 to the pivoting bracket 20.

As previously discussed, the upper channel 42 of the panel support rail18 serves to connect the stationary clamp 50 and the movable clamp 62 tothe panel support rail 18. Particularly, FIGS. 4, 6, and 8 show how themovable clamp 62 is connected to the panel support rail 18. The upperchannel 42 comprises upper channel flanges 44 along the upper edge ofthe upper channel 42 and slide rail supports 46. A slide rail 48,extending along the length of the panel support rail 18, is supportedfor sliding movement on the slide rail supports 46. As shown in theFIGS. 4 and 8, the slide rail 48 has a threaded slide rail nut 76connected to one end 82 of the slide rail 48. A lead screw 78 isjournaled into one end 84 of the panel support rail 18 and engages theslide rail nut 76. By turning the lead screw 78 counterclockwise andclockwise, the slide rail 48 moves back and forth along the length ofthe panel support rail 18.

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the movable clamp 62 comprises a movableclamp body 64 and a movable clamp lip 68 with a lip cam surface 69. Themovable clamp body 64 rests on an anti-twist clip 66 which in turn restson the top surface of the panel support rail 18 and engages the sides ofthe panel support rail 18. A movable clamp bolt 72 extends through ahole in the movable clamp body 64 and engages a movable clamp clinch nut70 within the upper channel 42. In addition, the movable clamp bolt 72is long enough to engage a threaded hole 49 in the slide rail 48.

In order to move the movable clamp 62 along the length of the panelsupport rail 18, a spacer washer 74 is positioned between the movableclamp clinch nut 70 and the anti-twist clip 66. The spacer washer 74keeps the movable clamp bolt 72 from pulling the movable clamp clinchnut 70 into frictional engagement with the upper channel flanges 44 ofthe upper channel 42 and from pulling the anti-twist clip 66 intofrictional engagement with the upper surface of the panel support rail18. Consequently, the movable clamp 62 cannot be locked onto the panelsupport rail 18 but instead is free to slide with the slide rail 48 asit slides back and forth along the slide rail supports 46 in response torotation of the lead screw 78.

FIGS. 4 and 7 show how the stationary clamp 50 is connected to the panelsupport rail 18. The stationary clamp 50 comprises a stationary clampbody 52 and a stationary clamp lip 56 with a lip cam surface 57. Thestationary clamp body 52 rests on an anti-twist clip 54, which in turnrests on the top surface of the panel support rail 18 and engages thesides of the panel support rail 18. A stationary clamp bolt 60 extendsthrough a hole in the stationary clamp body 52 and engages a stationaryclamp clinch nut 58 within the upper channel 42. The stationary clampbolt 60, however, is not long enough to engage the threaded hole 49 inthe slide rail 48. In order to lock the stationary clamp 50 at anyposition along the length of the panel support rail 18, the stationaryclamp bolt 60 is tightened to draw the stationary clamp clinch nut 58into frictional engagement with the upper channel flanges 44 on eitherside of the upper channel 42 and to draw the anti-twist clip 54 intofrictional engagement with the upper surface of the panel support rail18. Consequently, the stationary clamp 50 can be locked onto the panelsupport rail 18 at any desired location along the length of the panelsupport rail 18.

In order to mount the photovoltaic panels 12 on the support structure orsurface 8, the photovoltaic panels 12 are first mounted in the panelsupport channel 16 of the panel frame 14. The panel support rails 18 areconnected to the support structure or surface 8 by means of the pivotingbrackets 20. For example, the pivoting brackets 20 are mounted to thesupport structure 8 at locations on the support structure 8 that thatalign with members 9 that provide sufficient support for thephotovoltaic panels 12. With the pivoting brackets 20 mounted to thesupport structure or surface 8, the panel support rails 18 arepositioned on the pivoting brackets 20 at positions that conform to thedimensions of the framed photovoltaic panels 12. With the pivotingbrackets 20 properly positioned with respect to the panel support rails18, the panel support rails 18 are locked in place on the pivotingbrackets 20 by means of the lower channel clinch nut 38, the lowerchannel mounting bolt 40, and the lower channel flanges 36 (FIGS. 4 and6). Further, the stationary clamps 50 are positioned and locked in placeby tightening the stationary clamp bolt 60 so that the stationary clampclinch nut 58 engages the upper channel flanges 44 along the upper edgesof the upper channel 42.

With the panel support rails 18 mounted on the pivoting brackets 20 andthe stationary clamps 50 positioned and locked in place on the panelsupport rails 18, the lead screw 78 on each of the panel support rails18 is turned counterclockwise thereby moving the movable clamps 62toward the stationary clamps 50 as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3,the photovoltaic panels 12 with the attached panel frames 14 are loweredonto the panel support rails 18 so that the movable clamp 62 and thestationary clamp 50 are positioned inside the panel frame extensions 17of the panel frame 14. Once the panels are positioned on the panelsupport rails 18, each of the panels is manually moved to the left sothat the panel frame extension 17 of the panel frame 14 engages lip camsurface 57 of the stationary clamp lip 56 of the stationary clamp 50. Asthe panel frame extension 17 of the panel frame 14 moves to the left,the lip cam surface 57 forces the panel frame extension 17 under thestationary clamp lip 56 and against the top of the panel support rail18. Once the panel frame extension 17 of the panel frame 14 is securedunder the stationary clamp lip 56 of the stationary clamp 50, the leadscrew 78 is rotated clockwise to pull the movable clamp 62 toward theleft end of the panel support rail 18 and away from the stationary clamp50. As the movable clamp 62 moves to the left, the lip cam surface 69 ofthe movable clamp lip 68 engages the panel frame extension 17 on theopposite side of the panel frame 14. As best seen in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8,the stationary clamp 50 and the movable clamp 62 have fully engaged thepanel frame extensions 17 on either side of the panel frame 14.

An alternative mounting system 100 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Thealternative mounting system 100 is similar to the mounting system 10,and therefore, the reference numerals used with respect to mountingsystem 10 will be used for the same parts incorporated into mountingsystem 100. The difference between the mounting system 10 and themounting system 100 is that each of the pivoting brackets 20 of themounting system 10 has been replaced with a cross beam 30, and each ofthe panel support rails 18 has been replaced by a modified panel supportrail 118. The cross beam 30 and the modified panel support rail 118 areidentical in cross section (FIGS. 10 and 11), thus saving on inventorycosts. The modified panel support rail 118 has an upper channel 142 andlower channel 132 which are demarcated by slide rail supports 146. Thecross beam 30 has an upper channel 162 and lower channel 152 which aredemarcated by unused slide rail supports 166.

With respect to the modified panel support rail 118 (FIG. 11), the sliderail supports 146 support the slide rail 48 in the same way as the sliderail supports 46 support the slide rail 48 in the panel support rail 18.Likewise, the movable clamps 62 and the stationary clamps 50 areconnected to the modified panel support rail 118 in the same way thatthey are connected to the panel support rail 18.

The modified panel support rail 118 is connected to the top of the crossbeam 30 by means of a pair of clamps 90 that engage the lower edges 172of the modified panel support rail 118 and are secured to the cross beam30 by bolts 94 and clinch nuts 92 within the upper channel 162 of thecross beam 30 (FIG. 11). The clinch nuts 92 engage the upper channel 162of the cross beam 30 in the same way that the stationary clamps 50engage the upper channel 42 of the panel support rail 18. The cross beam30 is attached to the support structure 8 by means of lag bolt 170 (FIG.10).

Turning to FIG. 12, two adjacent photovoltaic panels 12 are mounted inpanel frames 14. The panel frames 14 have modified panel frame members114 and 115 that are positioned to abut each other when the photovoltaicpanels 12 are mounted, by means of the stationary clamps 50 and themovable clamps 62, on the panel support rail 18 or on the modified panelsupport rail 118, as shown in FIG. 12. The modified panel frame member114 has a male electrical plug 116 mounted to the inside of the modifiedpanel frame member 114. Likewise, the modified panel frame member 115has a female electrical receptacle 117 mounted to the inside of themodified panel frame member 115. The male electrical plug 116 and thefemale electrical receptacle 117 are connected by wires (not shown) tothe photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic panels 12. As the adjacentphotovoltaic panels 12 are pulled toward each other by the action of themovable clamps 62, the male electrical plug 116 and the femaleelectrical receptacle 117 engage each other. As a result of theengagement between the male electrical plug 116 and the femaleelectrical receptacle 117, the adjacent photovoltaic panels 12 areelectrically connected together without the necessity of separate,external wiring harnesses between adjacent photovoltaic panels 12. Asealing groove 119 is provided on the outside of the modified framemember 115, and a matching sealing groove 120 is provided on the outsideof the modified frame member 114. A round gasket 121 is captured withinthe sealing groove 120 when the adjacent photovoltaic panels 12 arebrought together to inhibit the entry of moisture from above thephotovoltaic panels 12 into the area occupied by the male electricalplug 116 and the female electrical receptacle 117.

FIGS. 13-19 show an alternative embodiment for a stationary clamp 250(FIG. 17) and for a movable clamp 262 (FIG. 16) to be used with thepanel support rail 18. The stationary clamp 250 and the movable clamp262 are configured to accommodate varying thicknesses of the panel frameextensions 17 of the panel frame 14. With reference to FIGS. 13-17 andas previously described, the panel support rail 18 has the upper channel42 with the upper channel flanges 44 along the upper edge of the upperchannel 42 and the slide rail supports 46. The slide rail 48 extendsalong the length of the panel support rail 18 and is supported forsliding movement on the slide rail supports 46. As shown in the FIGS.13-16, the slide rail 48 has a threaded slide rail nut 76 connected toone end 82 of the slide rail 48. The lead screw 78 is journaled into oneend 84 of the panel support rail 18 and engages the slide rail nut 76.By turning the lead screw 78 counterclockwise and clockwise, the sliderail 48 moves back and forth on the slide rail supports 46 along thelength of the panel support rail 18.

As best seen in FIGS. 13 and 16, the movable clamp 262 comprises amovable clamp body 264 (FIG. 19) and a spacer wedge 273 (FIG. 18). Themovable clamp body 264 has a movable clamp lip 268 with a lip camsurface 269. The movable clamp body 264 rests on the spacer wedge 273,which in turn rests on the anti-twist clip 66, which in turn rests onthe upper surface of the panel support rail 18 (FIGS. 13 and 14). Amovable clamp bolt 272 extends through a hole in the movable clamp body264 and through a hole in the spacer wedge 273 and engages the movableclamp clinch nut 70 located within the upper channel 42 of the panelsupport rail 18. In addition, the movable clamp bolt 272 is long enoughto engage a threaded hole 49 in the slide rail 48 (FIG. 16) for movementas previously described.

FIG. 17 shows how the stationary clamp 250 is connected to the panelsupport rail 18. The stationary clamp 250 comprises a stationary clampbody 252 (FIG. 19) and the spacer wedge 273 (FIG. 18). The stationaryclamp body 252 has a stationary clamp lip 256 with a lip cam surface257. The stationary clamp body 252 rests on the spacer wedge 273, whichin turn rests on the anti-twist clip 54, and which in turn rests on theupper channel flanges 44 of the panel support rail 18. A stationaryclamp bolt 260 extends through the stationary clamp body 252 and thespacer wedge 273 and engages the stationary clamp clinch nut 58 withinthe upper channel 42 of the panel support rail 18 to lock the stationaryclamp 2502 the panel support rail 18 as previously described.

With reference to FIG. 18, the spacer wedge 273 has an upper roughenedsurface 285, a lower smooth surface 286, and a mounting hole 287. Withreference to FIG. 19, the clamp body 264 of the movable clamp 262 andthe clamp body 252 of the stationary clamp 250 have a clamp lip 268 forthe movable clamp 262 and a clamp lip 256 for the stationary clamp 250.Each of the clamp lips 268 and 256 have a roughened leading edge 293 anda roughened lower surface 288. The roughened surfaces, including upperroughened surface 285 of the spacer wedge 273 (FIG. 18), lower roughenedsurface 288 of the clamp body (264, 252) (FIG. 19), and the roughenedleading edge 293 of the clamp lip (268, 256) (FIG. 19), may belongitudinal grooves as shown in the figures or those surfaces may beconfigured in any way to roughen those surfaces and thereby increase thefriction of those surfaces. The clamp body (264, 252) has a hole 291 toaccommodate respectively the movable clamp bolt 272 of the movable clamp262 or the stationary clamp bolt 260 of the stationary clamp 250.

With reference to FIG. 16, the movable clamp 262 is able to accommodatevarying thicknesses of the panel frame extension 17 of the panel frame14 by positioning the spacer wedge 273 fore and aft with respect to themovable clamp body 264 and the anti-twist clip 66. The fore and aftpositioning of the spacer wedge 273 is accomplished by drilling thewedge mounting hole 287 at different locations, fore and aft on thespacer wedge 273. Therefore, for each panel frame 14 having a particularthickness of the panel frame extension 17, the appropriate spacer wedge273 with a properly positioned wedge mounting hole 287 is supplied. Thewedge mounting hole 287 could also be a slot allowing fore and aftmovement of the spacer wedge 273. The upper roughened surface 285 of thespacer wedge 273 engages the lower roughened surface 288 of the movableclamp body 264 to arrest any relative movement fore and aft between thespacer wedge 273 and the movable clamp body 264. Once the movable clampbolt 272 is tightened, relative movement between the upper roughenedsurface 285 of the spacer wedge 273 and the lower roughened surface 288of the movable clamp body 264 is arrested, and likewise relativemovement between the spacer wedge 273 and the movable clamp body 264 isarrested. The stationary clamp 250 (FIG. 17) is similarly configuredwith the properly positioned spacer wedge 273 to accommodate varyingthicknesses of the panel frame extension 17.

Turning to FIGS. 16 and 19, the roughened leading edge 293 of themovable clamp body 264 engages protrusion 19 of the panel frame 14. Theengagement between the roughened leading edge 293 and the protrusion 19of the panel frame 14 helps to inhibit any lateral shifting between themovable clamp body 264 and the panel frame 14. Similarly, as shown inFIGS. 17 and 19, the roughened leading edge 293 of the stationary clampbody 252 engages protrusion 19 of the panel frame 14. The engagementbetween the roughened leading edge 293 and the protrusion 19 of thepanel frame 14 helps to inhibit any lateral shifting between thestationary clamp body 252 and the panel frame 14.

FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of a movable clamp 362 in accordancewith the present invention. The stationary clamp (not shown) and themovable clamp 362 are similar in construction and are configured toaccommodate varying thicknesses of the panel frame extensions 17 of thepanel frame 14. The movable clamp 362 comprises a movable clamp body 364and a spacer wedge 373. The movable clamp body 364 has a movable clamplip 368. The spacer wedge 373 rests on the movable clamp body 364, whichin turn rests on a compression spring 377, which in turn rests on theanti-twist clip 66, and which in turn rests on the upper surface of thepanel support rail 18. A movable clamp bolt 372 extends through a spacerwedge hole 387 in the spacer wedge 373, extends through a slot 391(extending fore and aft) in the movable clamp body 364, extends throughthe compression spring 377, and engages the movable clamp clinch nut 70within the upper channel 42 of the panel support rail 18. As previouslyexplained, the movable clamp bolt 372 is long enough to engage athreaded hole 49 in the slide rail 48 so that the movable clamp 362slides along the length of the panel support rail 18 when the lead screw78 is rotated.

With continuing reference to FIG. 21, the movable clamp 362 is able toaccommodate varying thicknesses of the panel frame extension 17 of thepanel frame 14 by relative fore and aft movement between the spacerwedge 373 and the movable clamp body 364. In order to engage and holdthe panel frame extension 17, the movable clamp 362 is initially in aposition to the right of the position shown in FIG. 21. The movableclamp body 364 with its movable clamp lip 368 is held in an elevatedposition by the compression spring 377 so that the clamp lip 368 canmove over the panel frame extension 17 as the movable clamp 362 is drawnto the left by means of the lead screw 78. Once the movable clamp lip368 passes over the panel frame extension 17 and engages the protrusion19, the leftward movement of the movable clamp body 364 is arrested, andthe action of the lead screw 78 pulls the spacer wedge 373 leftwardwhile the movable clamp bolt 372 slides in the slot 391 of the movableclamp body 364. Continuing leftward movement of the spacer wedge 373wedges the movable clamp body 364 downward against the force ofcompression spring 377 and into tight engagement with the clamp frameextension 17 and the anti-twist clip 66. The same configuration can beused for a stationary clamp.

FIG. 22 shows another embodiment of a movable clamp 462 accordance withthe present invention. Again, the stationary clamp (not shown) and themovable clamp 262 are similar in construction and are configured toaccommodate varying thicknesses of the panel frame extensions 17 of thepanel frame 14. The movable clamp 462 comprises a movable clamp body 464and a movable clamp lip 468 with a cam lock 481. The movable clamp body464 rests on the anti-twist clip 66, which in turn rests on the uppersurface of the panel support rail 18. A movable clamp bolt 472 extendsthrough a hole 491 in the movable clamp body 464 and the anti-twist clip76 and engages the movable clamp clinch nut 70 within the upper channel42 of the panel support rail 18. In addition, the movable clamp bolt 472is long enough to engage a threaded hole 49 in the slide rail 48 so thatthe movable clamp 462 slides along the length of the panel support rail18 when the lead screw 78 is rotated.

With continuing a reference to FIG. 22, the movable clamp 462 is able toaccommodate varying thicknesses of the panel frame extension 17 of thepanel frame 14 by means of a cam lock 481 pivotally mounted to themovable clamp lip 468 to engage the frame panel frame extension 17. Thecam lock 481 is mounted on a pivot pin 479 extending through the movableclamp lip 468. The cam lock 481 includes a forward extending noseportion 483 and a trailing tail portion 495. In order to engage and holdthe panel frame extension 17 against the top surface of the panelsupport rail 18, the movable clamp 462 is initially in a position to theright of the position shown in FIG. 22. The movable clamp body 464 withits movable clamp lip 468 and pivoting cam lock 481 is positioned sothat the nose portion 483 of the cam lock 481 can move over the panelframe extension 17 as the movable clamp 462 is drawn to the left bymeans of the lead screw 78. Once the nose portion 483 of the cam lock481 passes over the panel frame extension 17 as the movable clamp 462moves leftward, the panel frame extension 17 is forced under the tailportion 495 of the cam lock 481 causing the cam lock 481 to rotatecounterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotation of the cam lock 481forces the nose portion 483 of the cam lock 481 into tight engagementwith the panel frame extension 17. The same configuration can be usedfor a stationary clamp.

Turning to FIG. 20, another embodiment of a panel support rail 318 isshown. The panel support rail 318 is generally H-shaped with verticallegs 300, upper cross web 346, and lower cross web 334. The verticallegs 300 comprise an outer member 310 and an inner member 312 with aspace 314 between the members 310 and 312. The upper surface of thepanel support rail 318 are roughened to engage anti-twist clips, such asanti-twist clips 66 and 54 as previously described. A slide rail 348 issupported by the upper web 346. The slide rail 348 is connected to aslide rail nut 376 and to a movable clamp in a fashion similar to theslide rail 48 previously described. The slide rail nut 376 is engaged bya lead screw (not shown) so that the slide rail 348 can slide along thelength of the panel support rail 318 and thereby move the movable clamp.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations andmodifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for mounting a flat panel on asupport structure, the system comprising: a. a panel frame in which theflat panel is mounted, the panel frame having a front side and a backside and having an inwardly extending panel frame extension on the backside of the panel frame, wherein the panel frame extension extendsinwardly toward the center of the panel frame and is offset from a planeincluding the flat panel; b. a panel support rail having a length and anupper most surface for supporting the panel frame and having astationary clamp and a movable clamp that is movable along the length ofthe rail toward and away from the stationary clamp, and when the movableclamp moves away from the stationary clamp, movement of the movableclamp along the length of the rail away from the stationary clampengages and secures the panel frame extension to the panel support rail,wherein the movable clamp is slidably supported on the upper surface ofthe panel support rail, and the movable clamp moves along the length ofthe panel support rail; and c. a mounting bracket for supporting thepanel support rail on the support structure.
 2. The system for mountinga flat panel on a support structure of claim 1, wherein the stationaryclamp is supported on the upper surface of the panel support rail at aposition along the length of the panel support rail and is fixed to thepanel support rail by means of a stationary clamp bolt and clinch nutinterconnecting the stationary clamp and the panel support rail, whereinthe movable clamp is slidably supported on the upper surface of thepanel support rail and moves along the length of the panel support rail,wherein the stationary clamp and the movable clamp each have a clampbody with an attached clamp lip, and wherein the clamp lip engages theframe extension of the frame panel to secure the flat panel to the panelsupport rail.
 3. The system for mounting a flat panel on a supportstructure of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket for supporting thepanel support rail comprises an upper member connected to the panelsupport rail and a lower member connected to the support structure andwherein the upper member and the lower member are pivotally connected toeach other.
 4. The mounting system of claim 3, wherein the stationaryclamp is supported on the upper surface of the panel support rail at aposition along the length of the panel support rail and is fixed to thepanel support rail by means of a bolt and clinch nut interconnecting thestationary clamp and the panel support rail.
 5. The mounting system ofclaim 3, wherein the mounting bracket for supporting the panel supportrail comprises an upper member connected to the panel support rail and alower member connected to the support structure and wherein the uppermember and the lower member are pivotally connected to each other.